Following on the heels of January's release of Gun Aramaic (Soleilmoon SOL
27 CD) comes the limited edition companion CD Gun Aramaic Part 2. This CD
is limited to 2000 hand-numbered copies. The artwork and design on Part 2
is different from but still complementary to that of the first release. If
you don't know about Muslimgauze by now please see your nearest record store
for relief.

Buy this CD, dim the lights, and begin listening. The first track should
convince you this is not easy-listening. Calm moments on this CD are rare
(though sublime when they do come about), and the intensity of these tracks
just might inspire suicide bombings. But if millions of Palestinians can live
with disposition, apartheid and the theft and demolition of their property,
then surely you can subject you ears to some outstanding audio violence.

In title and general design meant to be the sequel to the first Gun, Part
2 turns out to be a slightly different beast in the end, one which in the
end turns out to be rather more interesting than the original album. The one-two
opening punch of the first "Sikh Needle" and "Shia Psalm"
provides yet another fantastic start to a Muslimgauze release, the first track
being based around an extremely atypical noise/rhythm collage mixed with sudden
percussion and sample interjections, while the second begins with a similar
wash of noise and conversation before breaking into a great hip-hop loop,
distorted, tweaked and overlaid with other beats as it goes. This in turn
settles in a barely-there midsection, with buried notes and beats gently rising
out of nowhere, before returning to the original elements of the song, which
then is further mixed with more expected Muslimgauze elements (acoustic percussion,
moody keyboards) to create a masterful ending. Going from there into the crisp,
minimal cymbal beat that starts the second "Sikh Needle," Part 2
surges from strength to strength, increasingly exploring break-beats as a
newer weapon in Bryn Jones' particular sonic arsenal, while also further refining
his basic sonic approach. The attractive shimmer of metallic chiming mixed
with a similarly metronomic beat and a series of interwoven vocal samples
on the first "Sharia Limb," not to mention unexpected jolts of noise
and harsh, relentless beats and clatters leading into a wheezing ambient wash
punctuated with further conversational snippets, all on the second "Sharia
Limb," are just two highlights worthy of note.

Any Muslimgauze album will blow most bands out of the water, but compared to other 'gauze releases, Gun Aramaic pt 2 doesn't size up as his best. Its not bad and even worthy of purchase. But NOT as an introduction to 'gauze. The distinguishing element of this album is a very loud live drum that exacerbates a sort of ROCK style. However, I believe Bryn Jones made the drum work, and work nicely. Expect some recycled sounds; there are snippets of music from "Betrayal". I would say, if you see it used or cheep, go for it, otherwise there's about 60 better Muslimgauze albums to choose from. (Good luck finding them all.)